Issue Number 9 --- 16 Mar Cheshvan, 5755
Compiled and Published by Kollel Menachem - Lubavitch (Melbourne, Australia) in the zechus of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, o.b.m.
We see that many people do play ball on Shabbos, especially children, while others refrain and disallow it and some are in doubt. Hence, it seems appropriate to explain and clarify the opinions of the Poskim.
There are four aspects to this issue:
Obviously playing ball outside on Shabbos, where there is no eiruv is forbidden. Even within an eiruv, it is also forbidden, if the ball can easily fall outside the eiruv. [1]
On Yom Tov there is no problem with carrying for the needs of Yom Tov. Inasmuch as ball playing constitutes a "pleasure" enhancing simchas Yom Tov, the Remoh [2] allows it as being a "need" of Yom Tov. However the Rashal (and it appears that the Mogen Avrohom, the Taz [3] and the Mishnah Brurah [4] agree with him) forbids it for adults.
The opinion of the Alter Rebbe on this is not clear but the Ktzos HaShulchan [5] seems to allow it.
The Shulchan Aruch [6] rules that balls are mukztah on Shabbos as and dirt.
The Remoh [7] however disagrees: since balls are designed to be played with even when they become dirty they never are muktzah.
The Alter Rebbe [8] states that the custom is not to prohibit it on account of muktzah.
This possible problem arises with those balls which are pumped up.
The Ktzos HaShulchan [9] rules that since pumping up a ball is forbidden (in that it makes the ball usable [tikun keli]), so also playing with such a ball is forbidden as one might accidently pump it up if it becomes flat.
The Yesodei Yeshurun [10] states that only inflating the ball the first time is forbidden. Subsequent inflatings are not considered as preparing the ball as a usable object (just as inserting shoe laces after they have already been inserted once is not forbidden). Playing with a ball which was once inflated is therefore permitted.
The Sha'alei Tsion states that if several inflated balls are available there is no fear that one will pump up a flat ball as there are spare balls.
The Shmiras Shabbos Kehilchaso [11] allows pumping up (except for the first time) even using a pump.
The Shulchan Aruch [12] forbids playings with nuts and the like on the ground as one might come to level the ground to roll the nuts on it. Even on paved ground it is forbidden as one might then also play on unpaved ground.
Accordingly, those outdoor games in which there is a chance that one will level the ground for the needs of the game, such as cricket or soccer, are forbidden even on paved ground.
Games where this problem does not exist but nevertheless use the ground are permitted by the Shmiras Shabbos Kehilchoso [13] and forbidden by the Ktzos HaShulchan [14].
The Ktzos HaShulchan construes the prohibition as applying to any game which makes use of the ground since some of these games involve preparation of the ground.
In addition all games which use the ground are forbidden by the Ktzos HaShulchan [15] even when played indoors since one might come to play outside on unpaved ground.
The Shmiras Shabbos Kehilchoso [16] allows all games indoors.
Games which do not use the ground at all, (such as Ping-pong), are permitted even by the Ktzos HaShulchan.
The Remoh [17], the Alter Rebbe [18] and the Mishna Brurah [19], however, all rule that one should not stop children from playing any of the above- mentioned games even on bare ground.
Playing with inflatable balls is prohibited according to the Ktzos HaShulchan, while the Yesodei Yeshurun allows it.
Games played outside on the ground where there is a chance one might level the ground are forbidden even on paved ground according to all opinions. Playing these games indoors, however, is permitted by the Shmiras Shabbos Kehilchaso while forbidden by the Ktzos HaShulchan.
Those games which use the ground but where one would not come to level the ground are permitted by the Shmiras Shabbos Kehilchaso to be played even on bare ground. The Ktzos HaShulchan, however, forbids playing these games even indoors.
Games which do not use the ground at all are permitted both indoors and outdoors by all opinions.
One should not stop children from playing any of these games, even on bare ground, unless outside an eiruv.
- Footnotes:
- [1] see Alter Rebbe Shulchan Oruch Orach Chayim 308:83 Mishna Brurah 308:158
- [2] Orach Chayim 518:1
- [3] 518:4 see also Be'er Haitev 308:46
- [4] 518:9
- [5] 110:10 Badei HaShulchan 16
- [6] Orach Chayim 308:45
- [7] ibid
- [8] 308:83[9] loc cit
- [10] Vol 4 p270
- [11] Vol 1 Ch 16 footnote 24
- [12] Orach Chayim 338:5
- [13] Ch 16:16
- [14] 146:60
- [15] ibid
- [16] Ch 16:5 footnote 16
- [17] 338:5
- [18] 338:6
- [19] 308:158
The above is not intended to decide halachic questions, but rather to clarify them in a clear and concise form. Please refer all your practical questions to your local Rabbi.
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